Lidl Ireland has introduced new measures to support frontline healthcare workers into stores across the country.
Healthcare workers will be offered priority queuing at store entrances as well as at the checkouts, the discounter said in a statement.
"The food retail sector has been deemed an essential service by the Government and at Lidl we take our responsibility to support the communities we operate in extremely seriously," said J.P Scally, managing director, Lidl Ireland.
The new measures are in addition to Lidl’s dedicated shopping hours for older and more vulnerable customers, which currently run from 9am to 11am every day.
"Having been the first retailer to announce dedicated shopping mornings for older customers, we saw a huge outpouring of support from the public who have shown great respect for our more vulnerable customers," he said.
Showing Support
"Offering priority to these inspirational workers is the least we can do to support those who are going above and beyond to serve our communities across the country," Scally added.
Those wishing to avail of these new measures will be asked to produce valid HSE identification, and in doing so will be given priority access during regular store opening hours until further notice, the retailer said.
Staff And Customer Protection
In addition to multiple measures put in place in previous weeks, Lidl Ireland said that it has updated a number of protective measures in stores and regional distribution centres.
The company has introduced regular spraying of store trolleys and baskets using a bio misting spray which works to kill bacteria, spores and viruses while sanitising immediately.
It has placed hand sanitiser for customer use at the entrance to all stores, as well as personal hand sanitiser issued to frontline employees, it said, as well as offering protective face shields for frontline employees who wish to wear them.
In regional distribution centres, the German retailer said that it has introduced dedicated quantities of antibacterial wipes that employees are encouraged to utilise for equipment.
The companies external cleaners have been made aware of key touchpoints throughout the building and these have been arranged to be diligently cleaned on a more frequent basis.
© 2020 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. Click sign-up to subscribe to Checkout.
